Australia were desperately, desperately unlucky. One might point to a sense of karma with Hiddink's team this time falling foul to the decisions of officials against an Italian team in the latter part of a knockout game. But it still wouldn't tell the story of how desperately Australia deserved to be in the quarter finals;

Argentina can be challenged. They can, in all likelihood, be beaten. But they've also proved they can play below their potential and see off tough opposition. They are a team to be feared;

Brazil simply have to up their game. 3-0 the result might have been, but the for Ghana, there exists an argument that they might have had the game sewn up by half time. They certainly didn't deserve to go in on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. If and when Brazil play a team with ruthless forwards and the same sort of work ethic shown formerly by the Australians and Croats, and latterly the Ghanaians, they will come unstuck very quickly if they aren't careful. And Ze Roberto is a poor player being carried. Much like Kleberson in '02;

Neither Ukraine nor Switzerland deserve to be remembered in any way, shape, or form in this World Cup. Booooooooooooooring. And poor to boot;

2006 may have come a few months too soon for the Dutch. van Basten's imperfect as a coach - unlike as a player - but he may well be sewing the seeds for future success. Perhaps he was mistaken in not taking a player of the quality of Makaay along this time;

If France manage to overcome Spain this evening, it will not only be typical of Spain in major tournaments, but it will be a massive injustice having observed Spanish play in this tournament. And French play, for that matter;